The
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has released the findings from new
research into the needs of the Royal Navy submariner community and the impact
of separation on family life.
The
Trust commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to
undertake further research following an event they attended in April 2024,
hosted by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and Greenwich
Hospital.
Over
two days, they heard from the Armed Forces community located in Helensburgh, Scotland,
to understand more about the support available for Naval personnel and their
families; and identify any gaps and opportunities.
Listening
to the submariner community
The
research highlighted that personnel and families can suffer poor mental health
and emotional strain due to unpredictability, frustration, separation and
feeling unprepared for deployment. This can also include a period of
pre-deployment anxiety as well as the deployment period itself. Reintegration
following deployment can also be a challenge as routines are disrupted. An
enduring stigma around mental health can deter some from seeking the help they
need.
This
wasn’t limited to immediate family members, with extended family not feeling
included in the support networks available.
Availability
and accessibility of services was raised. Families reported a low awareness of
support available and there was some hesitancy in accessing statutory services
affiliated with the Royal Navy, in case of impact on the submariner’s career.
There were added issues for those living in remoter areas, further from the
base, with fewer activities and services available.
For
the organisations themselves, the research found that collaboration could be
better. Especially between military and non-military organisations, where there
can be a lack of integration for military families into services designed for
civilians.
Other
issues included impact on the spouse’s career. However, those who took part in
the research talked about the importance of coping strategies such as focusing
on work, staying busy and maintaining routines.
Recommendations
from the research included:
·
Tailored mental health support
·
Improved communication and practical advice for managing deployment
challenges
·
Fostering community connections and encouraging peer support initiatives
· Help with adjusting post-deployment, and the complexities of being away for a long time
·
Initiatives that enhance career development for spouses.
Anna
Wright, Chief Executive of the Trust said: “Lots of work on these
recommendations is already underway under our three-year Covenant Fund
framework. Our Hidden Needs programme focuses on tailored and specialist mental
health support, while our Apart not Alone programme centres on reducing the
impact of long or frequent separation for military families. However, until
now, we have not focused this support on any particular service or location.
This important research has informed what will come next and we are excited to
share more about that very soon.”
Dr
Jasna Magić, Research Director, the National Centre for Social Research
(NatCen): “This research has given submariners’ families a vital voice,
highlighting the emotional and practical challenges they face due to long
separations, uncertainty, and stigma around seeking support. By truly
listening, we can shape support that genuinely meets their needs. We’re proud
to have worked with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust on this important
project and hope these findings drive lasting change for the submariner
community.”
Putting
findings into action
The
Trust in encouraging anyone in a position to support this community to read the
research findings and consider how they too can make a difference.
You
can read the report in full on the Trust’s website: www.covenantfund.org.uk